Unplanned ‘rest day’ for Dakar rally

The Dakar Rally had an unscheduled rest day on Friday when organisers were forced to cancel the sixth stage due to summer snow in the Andes.

The Dakar Rally had an unscheduled rest day on Friday when organisers were forced to cancel the sixth stage due to summer snow in the Andes.

Organisers were left with no choice but to call off the 394km run from Fiambala in Argentina to Copiapo in Chile containing 247km of timed special after the frontier was closed.

Organisers said: "Due to the bad weather continuing over the Andes Cordillera, the Chilean authorities were forced to close, for the night, the border at Paso de San Francisco, situated at 4,700 metres. The event will resume today in Copiapo for the 573km (with 419km of timed special) seventh stage. France's Stephane Peterhansel currently leads the car category. Cyril Despres is the leading biker.